Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo has expressed his excitement over new manager Enzo Maresca’s attacking philosophy, describing the Italian’s approach as “music to my ears” after getting an early taste of his role in the team.
Although City suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Inter Milan in Maresca’s first match in charge during their pre-season tour in Hong Kong, the Premier League champions showed encouraging signs of the attacking style the former Chelsea boss is looking to implement.
Semenyo featured in the opening 45 minutes and was one of City’s standout performers, repeatedly troubling Inter full-back Andy Diouf with his pace, direct running and willingness to take on defenders. His impressive display also helped create the move that led to Divin Mubama’s goal.
Young substitute Ryan McAidoo also caught the eye with an energetic performance, prompting Maresca to praise both wingers after the match.
“They are the kind of wingers I love,” the City boss said. “They are very aggressive and enjoy taking on their opponents in one-v-one situations.”
Semenyo admitted Maresca’s appointment immediately caught his attention because of the freedom he gives his wide players.
“When he got appointed, that was the first thing I thought about because when you’ve played Chelsea previously when he was there, his wide men were always high and quite free.
“So that was one of the things that excited me the most when he got appointed, and it’s exciting for me as a winger. I get to have one-v-one situations most of the game, and I am looking forward to it.”
The Ghana international also revealed that he has already held individual tactical meetings with Maresca to understand the manager’s vision better.
“I have had individual meetings with him on how he wants to set up, how he wants to play his wide men and just overall as a team.
“I think his ideas are great, quite similar to Pep, but if you watched the Inter game, you would have seen a couple of his ideas play out and it was good.”
According to Semenyo, Maresca’s instructions are straightforward and perfectly suited to his strengths.
“Enzo is just [saying] stay out wide and when you get the ball, just create opportunities. So it is music to my ears.”
With Maresca beginning a new era at the Etihad Stadium, Semenyo appears eager to embrace the freedom and responsibility that comes with the Italian’s attacking system as Manchester City prepare for the new campaign.
